It took us a very long time to get there because Ray's automatic pilot failed him when he spontaneously decided to get off the freeway for no apparent reason. But, it was all good, we got there still well within the free window of time. There were a lot of people there, but many were already turning in their skates after a half hour of free skating so we were able to get our skates very quickly with the help of the very nice people there who apparently are aliens because I don't think they can be from Utah. Sofia had to get skates about ten sizes too big, but again, my positive-don't-use-your-logic attitude was working. We got everyone skated up with the exception of fifth-wheel. We'd figure out what to do with him when we got to the ice.
As we step on the ice, we spontaneously (ooh, I like that word) decided I would take Marcelo who would probably require more help, and Ray being the manly man he is, would take fifth-wheel on his hip and help Sofia. Although, Ray and Sofia were moving at a snails pace, they quickly left us in the dust. For once, in my life, I wasn't too worried about falling or even looking stupid. Is that what motherhood does to you? Marcelo was such a noodle on the ice, I couldn't stop laughing hysterically for the next five or 10 minutes straight. I then realized, that even if this wasn't a fun, new experience about ice skating, it was all worth it for the way he made me laugh. It was like no one else was there, just the two of us struggling to stay upright. Marcelo's legs were ALL OVER the place. I expected him to be able to gain some kind of composure or slight muscle tone but it never happened. I resorted to holding on to his vest by the shoulders instead to keep him straighter but it was to no avail. I think it took us fifteen minutes just to make it a quarter of the way around the rink. Was it worth it? Totally. That laugh alone helped to loosen some of the cobwebs inn my soul. And I think, the kids are not too scarred that they will probably try ice skating again.
